If you have expertise in fixing electrical circuits, you should be familiar with voltmeters and digital multimeters. There are two different types of digital multimeters on the market: digital and analog. The voltage in the circuit is also measured using a digital multimeter.
The voltmeter’s principal purpose is to calculate voltage from an electrical circuit. On the other hand, a digital multimeter is primarily utilized to digitally identify several electrical components like transistors or diodes in a circuit.
Therefore, most people are unclear about the difference between a digital multimeter and a voltmeter. Today, we are talking in-depth about this.
Quick Comparison:
- A multimeter is relatively bigger in size than a voltmeter.
- For the huge number of extra functions in the multimeter, the price is also higher than the voltmeter.
- The multimeter needs an external power supply to operate, but the voltmeter doesn’t need this.
- A single digital multimeter can simultaneously measure AC and DC. However, a separate device is required if you wish to use the voltmeter to measure AC or DC.
Summary of Contents
Digital Multimeter: What is it used for?
A Digital multimeter may be used to measure the circuit’s current, voltage, resistance, and other quantities. A standard digital multimeter is usually used to locate electrical circuit faults and provides standard values for electrical characteristics. However, certain professional-level updated digital multimeters may also be used to measure transistor gain, capacitance, etc. According to design and measuring methods, analog and digital multimeters are the two varieties available. Between these two categories, there are not many differences. Let’s first look at:
| Digital Digital multimeter | Analog Multimeter |
| Easy to use and measure value from the meter. | Comparatively hard to use than a digital one. |
| Higher accuracy with superior resolution. | Lower accuracy with inferior resolution. |
| No scaling issue while measuring the circuit unit. | Many times wrong scaling ends up with an incorrect measurement. |
| Rough treatment can’t damage the device. | When the branch level drops, it can damage the whole device. |
| A Digital converter attaches to the device. | Don’t come with any digital converter. |
| Calibrated in a digital way. | Use a manual way for calibration. |
| Has an auto-ranging function. | I Have to set the range manually. |
| Construction is more complicated than analog. | Construction is much easier and simpler than a digital multimeter. |
| Very handy in size, so easy to use. | Very large in size and hard to handle. |
| Expensive than an analog multimeter. | Cheap in price. |
Voltmeter: What is it used for?
The voltmeter is used to determine the voltage between two locations in an electrical circuit. This item is also called a voltage meter. You must connect the gadget in parallel with the circuit in order to measure the voltage coming from it. A thin wire coil is present in the voltmeter for transporting current. And these two coils are suspended in the external magnetic field. These field leads or clamps are used to measure power and are attached to it. This magnetic current that is generated by the coil is beginning to react.
Additionally, there are two sorts of voltmeters: analog and digital. A voltmeter only has one function: it can only measure the voltage in a circuit. However, it consistently provides an accurate reading. This gadget is incredibly safe and simple to use for a single purpose.
What are the similarities between digital multimeters and voltmeters?
Both of these measurement devices may be found to have certain similarities. Take a first look at those:
- Both voltmeter and digital multimeter are used for measuring voltage from the circuit.
- They have two types of variance in the market, analog and digital.
- Both devices are easy to use.
What are the differences between a voltmeter and a digital multimeter?
You can also find some basic differences between both of these devices. And those are listed below:
- Features: Only two terminals may be measured by a voltmeter and are always linked in parallel. However, a digital multimeter may be used for various tasks, such as measuring voltage, resistance, current, etc. Therefore, a digital multimeter is a single instrument with various uses, but a voltmeter has only one functionality.
- Circuit: The current to be measured determines how the digital multimeter is connected to an electric circuit. On the other hand, The device whose voltage has to be measured is always connected in parallel with the voltmeter.
- The difference in internal resistance: The internal resistance varies depending on the digital multimeter’s feature. The internal resistance of the voltmeter is larger, though. Because of this, current may flow through it rather readily.
- Construction method: A digital multimeter has several different functions, making the process of building one quite challenging. However, a voltmeter only has one circuit. In comparison, it is simpler than a digital multimeter.
- Scaling issue: The scale of a voltmeter may be used to measure any analog unit. But the digital multimeter does not have such a feature. Consequently, it is quite simple to prevent the scrolling issue in the digital multimeter.
- Area of application: a multimeter is a tool used to measure different components in an electrical circuit. Consequently, a wide range of applications exists for this device. However, this device completely works the opposite of a voltmeter; it can only be used with one unit.
- Substitution: A multimeter may be used to measure voltage from a circuit without the need for a separate voltmeter. However, people don’t use voltmeters without first gauging system voltage.
Final discussion:
So, in the end, I think you must know what the difference is between a digital multimeter and a voltmeter. People can easily measure voltage from the circuit with the help of a multimeter, along with other features. It’s expensive in price but worth every penny.
